A closer look at 3D printing in dentistry from the 3D Medical Expo 2017

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3D Printing Industry are at the 3D Medical Expo in Maastricht. We met up with two of the additive manufacturing pioneers using 3D printing for dental and healthcare: 3D Systems and Renishaw.

At the 3D Dental conference metal additive manufacturing is demonstrated in two main ways: first of all for implants, and secondly to make the medical-grade tools needed for dental (and also surgical) operations.

Titanium teeth

In the first instance, for implants, titanium and cobalt chromium alloys are the proprietary metals used for the process. Both alloys are selected for their strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility.

In comparison to cobalt chromium, titanium is advantageous as a biocompatible material. It is already widely used in traditional medical device manufacturing processes to produce metal plates and screws for bones.

The Leuven based section of U.S. 3D Systems healthcare division are exhibiting at the 3D Medical Expo. I spent some time speaking with the team to understand how they use titanium in their 3D printed dental implants. Based in the Leuven Center of Excellence in the Netherlands, this team at 3D Systems specializes in manufacturing spinal supports in titanium.

UK-based Renishaw on the other hand use cobalt chromium for dental applications.

As additive manufactured dentures, bridges, and copings don’t have contact with the soft tissue inside the tooth, Jan Solc, product manager for medical dental products at Renishaw, explains that the biocompatibility of these 3D printed parts becomes irrelevant.

Renishaw have developed the material with a very low percentage of heavy metal (i.e. Beryllium) content, giving the cobalt chromium improved purity.

Surgical tools

Another aspect of 3D dentistry demonstrated by 3D Systems is the ability the additive manufacture medical-grade tools for surgery.

As these medical tools have to withstand vigorous sterilization processes throughout their lifetime, they are generally produced in stainless steel. Outside of additive manufacturing though, the design of these tools is somewhat restricted.

It has been suggested that 3D printing, and supporting 3D scanning processes could replace traditional modes of creating dental impressions, i.e. using plaster. But from speaking to industry experts at the 3D Medical Expo, it seems more likely that the methods are designed to co-exist with each other to support advances – as also suggested in the first review of the conference from 31st January.

Furthermore, the manufacture of dental models using processes such as SLA is becoming increasingly widespread and affordable. We’ll be looking at this in more detail later.

CAD for 3D printing can help to improve the functionality of a surgical instrument. There’s the potential that new tools could be developed with in-built/adjustable guides for use in operations.

A 3D printed surgical guide used to help skull incisions by Renishaw. Photo by Beau Jackson.

Amy Davey, reconstructive scientist for medical dental products at Renishaw, explains how 3D scanning for dentistry is moving towards cone beam CT scanning of the head and neck, rather than being just located to the mouth. Davey also adds as an aside that “It would be great if everyone had a full CT scan of their body” as it would provide more reliable research data, and also improve the personalization of implant technology.

Beau Jackson is Senior Journalist at 3D Printing Industry. With a longstanding commitment to the site's content, she is credited with producing more articles than any other author in its history. Well-versed in the latest 3D printing research and legal/regulatory challenges, her repertoire spans aerospace, automotive, maritime, medical and creative industries. She is a keen speaker and active representative of the company at key additive manufacturing events.